Android Auto Head units.... Where to start?

[Amnesia180]

Hi all,

I'm in the market for a new head unit for my Ford Kuga.

I have a Samsung S7 Edge which has Android Auto and something called MirrorLink.

Ive been looking at double DIN head units and they're mainly geared toward Apple. I do a lot of driving so want something that will connect to Spotify, preview my texts, show caller info etc.

My current setup just involves the Ford Kuga SatNav head unit, so ideally I'd still like this to work (I.e use the GPS Navigation functions through new head unit and Bluetooth calling).

Then the next headache will be getting it to fit in the current head unit space without butchering the dash.

Any advice or suggestions are welcome as I'm pretty new to this!

Cheers!

[Amnesia180]

As an update, I've been doing a lot of research and nearly all Headunits (Joying, etc) state that if the Headunit had factory fitted SatNav, these replacement Android Headunits will not work... Can anyone explain why this is? Surely it's not different to replacing the standard Headunit, it's only the workings of the Headunit that contain the SatNav and that will be removed when the new unit is installed?

[dxg]

Your posts make no sense.

You want to replace a unit with satnav but still want that very same satnav system to work, even though the machinery that produces it will no longer be part of your vehicle.

I'm at a loss...

[tankplanker]

Sat Nav regardless if it is a factory fit or 3rd party requires a GPS antenna. They are likely referring to the new head unit being unable to connect to the factory fitted GPS antenna, although personally I have not come across this restriction. Any decent ICE installer can fit a GPS antenna for you, it is not much harder than fitting a microphone for bluetooth voice.

An Android head unit will not rely on your phone at all. An Android Auto head unit will completely rely on your phone and your phone must be plugged into the head unit using a USB cable to be functional.

Personally I'd get a unit that supports Android Auto, you only have to maintain the apps and maps on the phone rather than messing about keeping the head unit up to date.

[Amnesia180]

Apologies,
I might be confusing myself as well as others.

I do not want the factory SatNav to work.
I would like it to work the steering wheel controls if possible.

All I want, is essentially to mirror my phone screen so I can receive emails, WhatsApp, whatever else and use the SatNav built into my phone along with Spotify.

I know Apple can do this flawlessly, maybe they're better at marketing it, but I'm sure there must be something similar for Android.

[Amnesia180]

Apologies,
I might be confusing myself as well as others.

I do not want the factory SatNav to work.
I would like it to work the steering wheel controls if possible.

All I want, is essentially to mirror my phone screen so I can receive emails, WhatsApp, whatever else and use the SatNav built into my phone along with Spotify.

I know Apple can do this flawlessly, maybe they're better at marketing it, but I'm sure there must be something similar for Android.

[tankplanker]

Thats a head unit that supports Android Auto with the optional wiring adapter for your car.

[Amnesia180]

Looking through Halfords, can't get one less than £500. Didn't think it would be so expensive!

[ZX10R NIN]

Pioneer SPH DA120

https://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=...

I have these fitted in my CLK with a Samsung phone & it works perfectly using Wave Spotify etc & they're around £330

[NiceCupOfTea]

Buy a phone cradle. Costs £5 instead of £500 and you don't have to mirror your screen, you've got the real thing!

[jakesmith]

i recently installed a pioneer f88 dab which is the best head unit out there

android auto is not great tbh

you can only enter nav destinations by voice which is crap. you can't view your phonebook, only dial by voice or look at last 10 calls. pretty useless. phone has to be plugged in, hassle and I'm always forgetting and leaving behind in car. no idea why it can't work on Bluetooth.

[Amnesia180]

I've been playing around with the feature on my phone and it doesn't seem particularly great.

Maybe mirrorlink is the way to go?

[mattwhite709]

I am just doing some research into getting an android auto head unit for the car. Looking online there does not seem to be to many options. Anyone got any recomendations.

[ZX10R NIN]

Pioneer SPH DA120

[rick355s]

The new Kenwood DMX-7017DABS handles Carplay, Android Auto, Bluetooth and has DAB built-in. The Pioneer SPH does not have DAB.

http://www.caraudiodirect.co.uk/kenwood-dmx-7016da...

[TazR6]

I bought a Pioneer AVH-X8800BT last month.
It is simply brilliant in my opinion.
I do not have to touch my phone now. For normal day to day use, my phone lives on a charging pad in my armrest, connected automatically via bluetooth. This allows me to make and receive calls, and get notifications for text messages with the option for them to be read out to me.
If I connect via USB, which I can do in my armrest as I have run a USB C cable from one of the head unit USB sockets, I can then mirror the phone onto the head unit, which is brilliant for Sat Nav.
Again, my phone is out of sight.
I have an adapter too that allows me to control everything from the remote steering wheel stalk.

[manracer]

jakesmith said:

i recently installed a pioneer f88 dab which is the best head unit out there

android auto is not great tbh

you can only enter nav destinations by voice which is crap. you can't view your phonebook, only dial by voice or look at last 10 calls. pretty useless. phone has to be plugged in, hassle and I'm always forgetting and leaving behind in car. no idea why it can't work on Bluetooth.

I have android auto and disagree with everything in your post.

I'd say your specific head unit restrictions not android auto are to blame.

Android auto allows you to enter nav details on screen, call lists etc.

Both apple car play and android auto require a cable connection as it is the phone that powers the interface on the screen, too much for Bluetooth to deal with.

Apple carplay tries to force you to use voice control regardless of what button you press, you can't use Google maps only the very poor apple maps.

[untakenname]

I used android Auto till I came across an app called Automate Beta which has the AA functionality plus a whole load more, haven't gone back

https://plus.google.com/communities/10290878821271...

Playstore link here https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com....